This blog is about my life dealing with multiple digestive problems and feeding tubes. But it is also about my life in general, being married to M, working as a psychologist, having fun, being happy, and living life to its fullest no matter what.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Week 34 - and it is going to be busy! Tomorrow I have an appointment with my midwife, on Thursday I will have my 34-growth-check-up at the hospital and in the evening our second prenatal class. On Friday M is leaving for Tyrol to celebrate his Mom's 60iest birthday, but I will stay at home, I am definitely not up to spending 5 hours on the train each way.

This is my second week of maternity leave, and I am really enjoying having some time on my hands now. (When I was still working I spent most of my spare time on the couch or in bed.) I have actually finally gotten around to doing my wedding scrapbook (after almost 2 years of marriage ;-))). Finished the first one last week, but had so many of our photos printed that I will have to do a second one. Afterwards I want to work on my pregnancy scrap book and once that is completed, I want to sew a blanket for our little one.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Last week was a tough week from a tube perspective. The week before that my Mum had come to Vienna to help us turn M's study into the nursery and generally organize our apartment (my Mum is the best organizer ever). I, of course, helped a lot and after my Mum had left, M and I continued to work on our apartment - in the end we worked straight for about a week. By last Monday I was in so much pain around my tube site that I started to get seriously worried. I couldn't move my tube without being in pain, couldn't walk, couldn't even ride in the car. From the past months I remembered that this could all be caused by totally overdoing it with tasks where I had to use my stomach muscles. M intervened and sent me off to bed and to the couch for three days straight. Very boring, but soooo effective! Already after a day I noticed a big difference in my pain level and after a few days I was back to my usual pregnant self.

I am now very careful in my activities and try to listen to my body better. As soon as I feel the tiniest bit of onset in pain around my tube set I retire to the couch or bed to rest.

The pain of Laura's passing is starting to subside a bit. Of course I know that it was bound to happen sooner rather than later, but it still hurts incredibly to lose a pet after such a long time. I am so grateful though to have Aimee and Aaliyah around who shower us with lots of love and kitty cuddles right now!

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Today we had to let Laura go. She went downhill very quickly over the past few days, stopped drinking and eating, had a very hard time moving around and could barely walk. This morning when she cried out in pain because I had moved her from one spot on the couch to the next, it became clear to us that the time had come.

The vet was very kind and after examining her told us that she had lost most of the feeling in her legs and had painful spots along her spine probably due to intense inflamation. She certainly was in a lot of pain and even with intense veterinary and in-home treatment she would maybe live for 6-8 more weeks or even less. We have always promised her and ourselves that we would not prolong her suffering, still it was incredibly helpful for me to have M at my side who after listening to our options made the call "lets do it". I got to hold her in my arms and cuddle her while she fell asleep.

Laura was my faithful companion for the past 20 years, always at my side, helping me through many tough moments with her gentle love and feline compassion.

About Me

I have chronic digestive problems (gastroparesis, exocrine pancreatic insufficieny, malabsorption, histamine intolerance, fructose malabsorption, lactose intolerance, and multiple pollen associated food allergies).
When I received a nasogastric feeding tube in December 2008 for supplemental night time feedings my fiance and I came up with the stories of "Tube Girl" - my superwoman alter ego who saves the world from starvation in order to put a bit of fun into having an ng-tube.
After six long months of ng tube feeding I received a g-tube at the end of May '09. Check out the posts labeled "The story so far" for more information.
As of July 2010 I have to rely on a semi-elemental formula for malabsorption issues. Fall 2010 - finally had my g-button converted to a gj-button.
Update Dec 2010 - because the gj-buttons wouldn't stay put, I had PEG/J put in with a pigtail for fixation in the jejunum.
Update Jan 2011 - diagnosed with intestinal dysmotility issues. Update Aug 2011 - PEJ placed.